MECHANICAL CONTRACTING CAREERS
PROJECT MANAGER
Do you have extensive construction experience in management or supervisory roles? Have you
completed post secondary training in construction management, building science, civil engineering or
architectural technology, or, do you hold a trade ticket relevant to the construction industry? Do you enjoy
dealing with a diverse group of individuals? If your answer to these questions is yes, then you could
become a Project Manager/Project Coordinator.
Also known as
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Commercial Construction Manager
Construction Manager
Construction Superintendent
General Contractor
Housing Construction Manager
Industrial Construction Manager
Pipeline Construction Manager
Project Manager, Construction
Residential Construction Manager
What the work is like
Project managers and project coordinators plan, schedule, organize, direct, control and evaluate the
activities of construction projects, normally under the direction of a construction manager, general
manager or other senior manager. They play a key role on construction projects and may have on-site
staff, junior project managers and contract administrators reporting to them. Depending on the company
and the sector, senior project managers may hold overall responsibility for billion dollar projects.They are
employed by companies in all four construction sectors: New Home Building and Renovation, Heavy
Industrial, Institutional and Commercial, and Civil Engineering. To learn more about the construction
sectors, check out Inside the industry.
Your duties
Project managers and project coordinators perform some or all of the following duties:
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plan, schedule, organize, direct, control and evaluate construction projects from start to finish
according to schedule, specifications and budget
handle project administration, including cost control, schedule control and change order
administration
prepare and submit construction project budget estimates
plan and prepare construction schedules and milestones, and monitor progress against
established schedules
prepare contracts and negotiate revisions, changes and additions to contractual agreements with
architects, consultants, clients, suppliers and subcontractors
develop and implement quality control programs
prepare progress reports and issue progress schedules to clients
hire and supervise the activities of subcontractors and subordinate staff
Work conditions
Project managers and project coordinators normally work in offices, but spend a lot of time on
construction sites working with site managers and subcontractors.
As with all careers in the construction industry, safety is the top priority. While on construction or other job
sites, project managers and project coordinators must be aware of and comply with all relevant safety
policy and procedures.
Essential Skills
Human Resources and Skills Development Canada (HRSDC) has identified nine Essential Skills that are
necessary to succeed in the workplace. These skills provide the foundation for learning all other skills and
apply to most construction careers. Best of all, you can learn and improve on these skills in school, on the
job and during your everyday life. The nine essential skills are Reading Text, Document Use, Numeracy,
Writing, Oral Communication, Working with Others, Thinking Skills, Computer Use and Continuous
Learning
The specific Essential Skills most important to this occupation have not been defined. Click here to learn
more about Essential Skills.
Typical background requirements
A university degree in civil engineering or a college diploma in construction technology is usually required.
In addition, several years of experience in the construction industry, including experience as a
Construction Supervisor or Field Superintendent may be required.
Depending on the size of the project and project manager experience levels, a master’s degree in project
management may be required.
Extensive experience in the construction industry may substitute for post secondary education
requirements.
Professional engineering status or construction trade certification may be required by some employers.
Training and certification
The Project Management Institute (PMI) is a good source of information on courses and training providers
for this occupation. The PMI also awards the Project Management Professional (PMP) and Certified
Associate in Project Management (CAPM) designations to project managers and project coordinators
who meet their certification requirements. For more information, visit www.pmi.org.
A good source of information on technician and or technologist training and certification is the Canadian
Council of Technicians and Technologists (CCTT). For more information, visit www.cctt.ca.
The Canadian Construction Association awards qualified people with Gold Seal Certificates for several
construction occupations, including the Gold Seal Certificate – Project Manager designation. For more
information, visit www.goldsealcertification.com.
Salary ranges
Project Manager hourly wages vary depending on the company, and local and national economic
conditions. Typical hourly wage ranges for project managers (based on national or regional averages) are
as follows:
Inexperienced, newly graduated project managers
Region
Typical hourly rate
National average
Atlantic Canada
Ontario and Quebec
Western Canada
$16-$19
$13-$16
$16-$18
$17-$20
Based on national averages, inexperienced workers can earn annual salaries ranging from $33,000 to
$40,000 per year, not including overtime.
Experienced project managers
Region
Typical hourly rate
National average
Atlantic Canada
Ontario and Quebec
Western Canada
$24-$30
$20-$25
$24-$27
$28-$34
Based on national averages, experienced workers can earn annual salaries ranging from $50,000 to
$62,000 per year, not including overtime.
Highly experienced project managers
Region
Typical hourly rate
National average
Atlantic Canada
Ontario and Quebec
Western Canada
$38-$44
$33-$40
$34-$40
$40-$50
Based on national averages, highly experienced workers can earn annual salaries ranging from $79,000
to $92,000 per year, not including overtime.
Construction work can involve overtime, so your total annual salary will vary depending on the number of
overtime hours you work. In addition to the hourly rate, many construction industry workers receive
statutory holiday and vacation pay. Depending on the contract, you may also receive benefits such as
group insurance for health, dental, and vision care, retirement packages and training benefits up to 30%
of your hourly rate. If you are self employed, it is up to you to arrange your own benefits.
Building your career
Successful project managers are often given responsibility for larger projects, and depending on the
construction company, can in time be given responsibility for billion dollar projects.